For decades, there has been a divide between conventional medicine and so-called “alternative” health care. Integrative medicine has been designed to bridge this gap, combining the best of both worlds to provide comprehensive health care.
The Chasm Between Conventional and Alternative Medicine
As a medical professional who works in a busy Urgent Care practice, I can attest that while I prescribe medications and perform minor surgical interventions for acute issues, many patients also have chronic conditions that might benefit from alternative medicine. However, many medical professionals are unaware of (or intimidated by) the potential for complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) defines CAM as a range of medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not typically considered part of conventional (allopathic) medicine. This can include acupuncture, chiropractic, naturopathy, massage, nutrient supplementation, and other evidence-based treatments for disease reversal or prevention.
While CAM therapies are becoming more common in primary care settings, few doctors have actually taken the time to learn about these methods. One common objection to CAM is safety. However, according to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, there are a mere 1,600 potential interactions between natural products and conventional drugs. In contrast, there are an estimated 2 million seriously adverse prescription drug reactions in hospitalized patients each year, resulting in over 106,000 deaths.
In terms of efficacy, it is important to note that while CAM therapies may not provide the immediate symptom relief of conventional drugs and surgery, they can offer superior healing in other areas. For example, functional medicine, anti-aging, and regenerative medicine all focus on addressing the underlying causes of diseases, as well as engaging both patient and physician in diagnosing “pre-disease.” This is a holistic approach to healthcare that does not fit neatly into the conventional allopathic medicine model.
Integrative Medicine
Integrative medicine is a modality that blends the best of both natural and conventional medicine. It seeks to uncover the contributing factors of your illness, whether they are nutritional, allergic, or biochemical imbalances that are adversely affecting your overall health. Integrative medicine professionals rely on cutting-edge lab testing and tailor interventions to your specific needs as an individual. This can involve a mix of nutrition, supplements, lifestyle changes, and medications to not only treat your illness but also restore balance and promote healing.
Adding coaching to integrative medicine can further personalize and improve the healing process. A coach can help patients navigate personal challenges related to relationships, thoughts, feelings, exercise, and nutrition. They can also offer consistent accountability for the personal changes patients are making. Some of the key areas that coaches can address include emotional, intuitive, power, love, mindfulness, and human connection. This type of intervention can also help with balancing body pH, optimizing nutrition, immune system function, and other aspects of physical health. By incorporating coaching into the treatment plan, patients are often better able to make lasting lifestyle modifications that contribute to overall health and well-being.
Integrative Medicine: The Future of Health Care
Though it may not always be covered by insurance, coaching is a valuable addition to integrating medicine and is worth investing in to achieve lasting lifestyle changes. I firmly believe that utilizing integrative medicine, along with coaching, is the most effective model for healthcare. It should become the standard of care, offering patients the best chance for comprehensive healing and improved quality of life.
